Saudi Arabia’s food and beverage sector is changing fast. The Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) has introduced new rules that require restaurants to display clear nutrition and allergen information on their menus. These rules apply to printed menus, digital boards, websites, apps, and QR code menus.
For restaurant owners, understanding these regulations is not just about avoiding fines — it’s about building trust with customers and aligning with Vision 2030’s health goals. In this post, we’ll walk through:
- A quick history of SFDA menu regulations.
- The latest 2025 compliance requirements.
- Penalties for non-compliance.
- How restaurants are adapting with digital tools.
A Quick History of SFDA Menu Regulations
The SFDA was created in 2003 to oversee food safety and labeling. In 2018, it made Saudi Arabia one of the first countries in the region to mandate calorie counts on restaurant menus. By 2019, restaurants had to display not only calories but also key nutritional details like fat, sugar, and salt.
Today, the SFDA’s focus has expanded to digital transformation. Whether your customer scans a QR code at the table or browses your menu on a delivery app, the same transparency rules apply.
SFDA Menu Compliance Requirements in 2025
Here’s what every Saudi restaurant must include on their menus — digital and physical alike:
1. Nutrition Facts & Calorie Counts
Every menu item must display:
- Calories (kcal)
- Fat, sugar, and sodium content
2. High-Salt and High-Caffeine Warnings
- Items with more than 2,000 mg of sodium need a saltshaker icon.
- Drinks must list their caffeine content in milligrams.
3. Physical Activity Equivalent
Menus must show how long it would take to burn the calories, usually as minutes of walking. Example:
“300 kcal | 30 min walk”
4. Allergen Disclosure
Restaurants must clearly flag 14 common allergens, including gluten, nuts, dairy, soy, shellfish, and sesame.
5. Arabic Language
All details must be in Arabic (English can be added, but not as a replacement).
6. VAT-Inclusive Pricing
All menu prices must include VAT (15%). No hidden charges are allowed.
7. QR Code Menu Compliance
Digital menus accessed via QR codes must meet the same rules. That means calories, allergens, and warnings must be visible on mobile too.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
The SFDA enforces these regulations strictly. Penalties include:
- Fines ranging from SAR 100 up to SAR 500,000 depending on severity.
- Temporary closure of your restaurant for serious violations.
- Public complaints or reputational damage if customers notice missing information.
Repeat offenders face doubled fines and possible license suspension.
How Restaurants Are Adapting
Many Saudi restaurants are turning compliance into an advantage:
- Using digital tools to calculate calories, caffeine, and nutrition automatically.
- Updating QR menus and digital boards instead of reprinting paper menus.
- Training staff to answer questions about icons and nutrition info.
- Highlighting healthier options (e.g. “low calorie” or “gluten-free” sections).
Delivery apps like Jahez and HungerStation have also updated their systems to display calories and icons, helping restaurants stay compliant across channels.
Why Compliance is Good for Business
Yes, compliance is mandatory — but it’s also a chance to win customer trust. Diners increasingly want transparency. Restaurants that openly display nutrition and allergen info are seen as modern, trustworthy, and customer-focused.
And with digital menus, compliance becomes easier than ever. Update once, and your changes show everywhere — in your restaurant, online, and on delivery apps.
Conclusion
The SFDA’s 2025 digital menu regulations represent a big step forward for public health and consumer rights in Saudi Arabia. For restaurant owners, they’re not just a checklist of rules — they’re an opportunity to modernize operations, build trust, and align with Vision 2030’s goals.
👉 Ready to make your menu compliant the easy way?
With Tappya, you can create a free digital menu that automatically includes calories, nutrition, allergens, VAT pricing, and more. Free forever, SFDA-compliant, and ready in minutes.
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